FERTIGUNG: In the year of the leading trade fair GrindingHub, we are very excited to see what technological highlights there are to discover at Adelbert Haas.

Dirk Wember: Our key topic is still the end-to-end digitalization and automation of the entire production process. We have some ground-breaking innovations in the pipeline. First and foremost, the fully automated Multigrind® Radical. Not a theoretical approach but applied reality. With productivity that deserves the label quantum leap. So, it's always worth dealing with Adelbert Haas, but especially so at the moment.

FERTIGUNG: You mention a quantum leap in productivity. Will automation be the key issue? Who will automate and who will stick to their traditional production methods?

Dirk Wember: Yes, you raise a point that is very important to me.

We have automated the entire grinding process for some customers, let's call them the Early Adopters: Simply from the webshop to shipping. The core element is the Multigrind® Radical, which grinds high-precision tools in unmanned production thanks to Closed Loop. These implemented manufacturing clusters differ enormously from what I perceive as standard. The gap between the manufacturing companies that implement this production method, and the rather passive majority will lead to winners and losers. The re-evaluation of the industry is already in full swing.

FERTIGUNG: Can you give us a concrete example that illustrates this statement? So that our readers get an idea of what you mean by re-evaluation.

Dirk Wember: Yes, I would like to try, because it is very important to me that we do not gamble away our perceived lead here in Europe. The following exemplary calculation roughly illustrates the situation of a tool manufacturer: Every successful tool manufacturer has a tried and tested process. Roughly divided into set-up times and production. The machine operator prepares and adjusts the production process in his presence. In general, the machine operator is fully utilized with this work on 5 working days. A well-prepared grinding machine naturally produces beyond the presence of the machine operator. The tool manufacturer therefore expects 7.5 shifts within the regular 5-day week. And because there are just enough orders, there is an additional shift at the weekend. The tool manufacturer is very satisfied with these 8.5 shifts per week, because the actual dimension of his company is fully utilized.

And now the contrary calculation with a fully automated process: How will the performance and competitiveness of the tool manufacturer just described change if it is possible to produce in 21 shifts per week? With the same number of employees? With better quality? And with a higher output per shift! Instead of 8.5 shifts, 21 shifts? This achievable increase in productivity has not yet been seen in this millennium. This transformation results in a quantum leap in productivity, profit, and guaranteed future. And for all those who calculate with a sharp pencil: With this level of productivity, the investment pays for itself within a very short time. Even the usual allowance for depreciation lags well behind. Please note: This is not a "what-if" scenario, as we have already implemented this fully automated production in the field.

FERTIGUNG: Now you can understand why the compact Multigrind® was given the name Radical. Are there any other interesting details that you have not yet fully included in your sample calculation? We have not yet carried out a detailed analysis.

Dirk Wember: As I mentioned, with the intelligent automation of the Multigrind® Radical, tool manufacturers can produce in 21 shifts every week. The effort required for preparation and post-processing is minimal. One machine operator looks after several production units, as the actual production of the parts is unmanned per se. The result of this production method is maximum output. The permanent quality check via the integrated measurement leads to perfect self-correction within a closed loop. Only 100% precise tools leave the grinding machine.

By the way, the Radical production unit processes everything that is produced. Preferably complex rotary and insert tools in large quantities. However, small series from batch sizes of 1 to 1,000 are also produced to meet requirements.

Directly from the web shop via the ERP system and without any major programming work. All individual production steps are controlled by the Multimation software. Machine operation and control is possible at any time, from anywhere and from any device. Every Multigrind® Radical is always online. And soon we will be giving customers an insight into all relevant information based on their dashboard. So that they can keep an eye on everything themselves.

The Multigrind® Radical is proactively maintained by analyzing machine data. As a result, there are virtually no machine downtimes and non-productive times are so minimal that they are no longer relevant. An important point here is safety. Only machine data is transmitted and no order-specific details. These are further technical details about the CHANGE.

Industry 4.0 is a mission possible for Adelbert Haas.

FERTIGUNG: When you present these amazing product benefits and the calculation example, what reactions do you get from your customers?

Dirk Wember smiles and remarks: "Industry 4.0 is not a vision for Adelbert Haas, it's a mission possible. And it's about time. We don't sell machines, we realize the future. We talk to our customers about opportunities and then we develop a well thought-out CHANGE together. This is not a superficial sales pitch, this is individual consulting.

As a partner along the way, we want to take all our customers' wishes and challenges into account and take off together. The fact that we are currently leading the Industry 4.0 revolution with the Multigrind® Radical naturally does not make our consulting any easier. Anyone who has opted for a Multigrind® Radical today is taking the first step. The great thing is that the path to full automation can be taken step by step. Provided you saddle the right horse.

Based on the experience of the last 24 months, I would speak of different mentalities. Some remain stuck in their existing patterns of thinking and behaving, while others secure a quantum leap early on. I am very pleased that there are real trendsetters in our industry. With them, we were able to realize the complete automation process right at the start of the market launch of the Multigrind® Radical. With this experience, we optimized everything down to the last detail and rolled it out in different versions.

We are now talking to the followers. Based on the results, they have recognized the opportunity and are actively planning the CHANGE.

FERTIGUNG: In addition to the investment, this of course also involves a moderate change in the operational process. We all know how difficult it is to leave the beaten track.

Dirk Wember: What gives me something to think about personally is another observation: we are getting a lot of positive feedback from Asian countries regarding digitalization and automation and far fewer concerns. In global competition, the pressure to innovate is much higher here in Europe with its high wage and energy costs and labor shortages.

Nevertheless, I am optimistic that we will be the first to achieve the transformation here in Europe. Dear tool manufacturers, change your production methods now before someone else does it in your place.

Fertigung: Is there a reason for your optimism? It's not uncommon for people to trumpet everything that's wrong with digitalization.

Dirk Wember: In Trossingen, we are right in the middle of the land of inventors. We are faster, more creative, more flexible, and often have an answer before the question is even discussed. We see it as our main task to secure a competitive edge with our range of solutions. Many impulses for this do not come from overseas, they come as concrete requirements directly from our customers here in Europe. That gives me confidence.

So, take courage. Who, if not us, and when, if not now.

Fertigung: Mr. Wember, we wish you and your customers every success with the transformation and thank you for the interview.